Faculty & Staff

The Girls’ School of Austin selects inspiring and effective educators who are also well-educated in the developmental and social needs of girls. Our interdisciplinary curriculum and open campus environment promote collegiality and respect.

Just as we encourage our girls to push the boundaries of their knowledge, we support our teachers to advance their knowledge and skills both inside and outside of the classroom. In the last year, our teachers have attended training programs including:

SEL 201: Leadership in School-Wide Social-Emotional Learning and Character Development

Staff

Lisa Schmitt

In addition to administrative positions as an academic dean, Ms. Schmitt has taught math and physics for over twenty years. Prior to The Girls’ School, she was Dean of Curriculum at the Emma Willard School, a private girls’ school in New York. Ms. Schmitt has a strong interest in interdisciplinary math and science education and in the use of technology to advance teaching and learning. She has published in Science Teacher and has presented at numerous national and international conferences on the subject of interdisciplinary math and science education. Ms. Schmitt earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Physics from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and her Masters of Arts in Teaching in science education from Boston University. She served in the U.S. Air Force as a research physicist specializing in space physics. She has received numerous awards for her research and teaching, including the Rubendahl Faculty Fellowship and a Tandy Technology award for integrating technology into interdisciplinary algebra-physics classes at Northfield Mount Hermon. While at Emma Willard, she developed a partnership project with Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute to encourage students to pursue math and science. She has taught in the Expanding Your Horizons program for middle school girls and served on the board of the Rubin Community Fund in Troy, New York.

Shanna Prewitt-Hines

Ms. Prewitt joined The Girls’ School faculty in 2011. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Education from the California State University at Northridge and her Master of Arts in Educational Theater from New York University. She has taught kindergarten through third grade at the Turningpoint School in Los Angeles, and second and third grade at the Oakmont School in Austin. She also served as the Assistant Director of the summer program at The Crossroads School in Santa Monica for nine years. At The GSA, Ms. Prewitt, she has taught third grade and has taught several popular after-school courses such as Math Pentathlon Boot Camp, and Girlbots Robotics, and Conservation Club.

Sylvia Sanchez

Ms. Sanchez joined The Girls’ School administration in 2005. She previously served over twenty-six years with the City of Austin where she held administrative and supervisory positions in Human Resources, Parks and Recreation, Minority Business Affairs, and Financial Services. Ms. Sanchez has extensive experience with budgeting, contract management, employee relations, and policy development. Ms. Sanchez graduated from Nixon-Clay Business College and has earned credit hours in Business Management & Accounting at Austin Community College.

Regina Lim

Ms. Lim joined The Girls’ School Faculty in 2017. Regina received her BBA in Accounting at the University of Texas in San Antonio. She is a licensed CPA in Texas and is also CGMA (Certified Global Management Accountant). Regina has worked in the public and private sector for over twenty years. She was the Vice President for Finance at Texas Hospital Association for 7 years and prior to that, the CFO/Controller for Red River Service Corporation, and Spectrum Creations.

Ivette K. Hawthorne

Ms. Hawthorne has over ten years of experience in fundraising, marketing and public relations. She was previously Development Manager at Liberty Hall Museum at Kean University and prior to that, Development and Special Events Associate with Kent Place School in Summit, NJ. Ms. Hawthorne also served as the philanthropy liaison for The Summit Playhouse and has experience in running annual fund and capital campaigns, matching gift programs, grant writing, individual and corporate philanthropy, event planning and volunteer management. She is also a certified workshop facilitator through The American Conference on Diversity. Ms. Hawthorne holds a Bachelor of Arts in Fashion Design and Marketing from Tshwane University of Technology in South Africa.

Linda Maher

Ms. Maher joined The Girls’ School faculty in 2007, where she has taught fourth grade language arts and mathematics and fifth grade language arts, as well as supervised our aftercare program. She has an interest in radio and has been a volunteer and programmer at KOOP Radio Austin since 2006. Ms. Maher volunteered at the Austin Children’s Shelter for six years. Ms. Maher has a background in graphic design, which she has put to good use at The Girls’ School, both in the classroom and in school communications. She attended the Klingenstein Summer Institute sponsored by Columbia Teacher’s College in the summer of 2011 and the Bard Institute for Writing and Thinking in 2012 and 2013. Ms. Maher received her Bachelor of Science degree, magna cum laude, in Interdisciplinary Studies from Texas State University.

Frances Ramberg

Ms. Ramberg joined The Girls’ School faculty in 2004 as the school librarian, and since then she has held several positions: community service coordinator, classroom teacher in grades K-8, Admissions Director, Placement Director, Diversity Coordinator. Before she came to The Girls’ School, she was a Wired for Youth Librarian for the Austin Public Library. Ms. Ramberg holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, Cum Laude, from Wellesley College and a Master of Library and Information Science degree from The University of Texas at Austin. She is also a certified Conflict Resolution Mediator.

Charelle Fitzgerald-Marshall

Ms. Marshall joined the staff in 2017. She completed her Bachelor of Behavior Science in Psychology, with a minor in biology from Hardin-Simmons University. While she was in college, Ms. Marshall spent a semester abroad in Lithuania and volunteered at Giruliai BabyHouse Orphanage. Since graduating from Hardin-Simmons, Ms. Marshall has worked at the UT Child Development Center as an administrative assistant and child care provider. She has also performed a year of service, including mentoring a Little, at Big Brothers Big Sisters Lone Star in the Americorps Program. Her volunteer work includes outreach for AIDS Services of Austin.

Bronson Dorsey

Bronson Dorsey is a facilities executive with over 40 years’ experience managing facilities and related construction projects for Fortune 50 corporations, the healthcare industry, and higher education institutions. From 2005-2009, Bronson was Global Facilities Development Manager for Dell Inc., and previously, he was the Associate Vice-President, Facilities & Operations, for Austin Community College. Bronson received his Bachelor of Architecture degree from The University of Texas at Austin. Bronson has been married for 43 years, and has two adult sons. Bronson served on the Board of Trustees for GSA from 2009-2014. As the Chair of the Facilities Committee, he managed the design and construction of our new campus.

Hope Laster

Hope Laster joined the GSA staff in 2017. Ms. Laster is currently completing an undergraduate degree at UT Austin. She has experience working with children and has been a camp counselor at Kidventure Summer Camp in Dallas. She also volunteers for the development office call center, UTalk, at UT Austin.

Faculty

Meredith Hayden

Ms. Hayden joined The Girls’ School faculty in 2006. She has been teaching at the elementary level for over twelve years. Ms. Hayden started the Somerville Elementary after-school tutorial reading program through a grant with Texas A&M University. She earned Texas teaching certifications in Elementary Reading, Elementary Early Childhood, Elementary Self-Contained, and English as a Second Language. Ms. Hayden graduated from Texas A&M University with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education.

Ilene Novy

Ilene Novy joined the GSA faculty in 2017. Ms. Novy received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Louisiana State University and a Texas Elementary Certification from St. Edwards. She recently completed a Master of Arts in Mathematical Teaching from Mount Holyoke, where she was also awarded the Emerging Teacher Leadership Scholarship. Ms. Novy has taught in several small private schools in Austin including, most recently, the Austin Jewish Academy where she taught second through fifth grade, and Oakmont School—where she taught a combined fourth and fifth grade class. She has participated in many professional development opportunities including Responsive Classroom, Whole Brain Teaching, Teachers College– Lucky Calkins Readers Workshop and, most recently, Writer’s Workshop also at Teachers College.

Kristen Brewer

Kristen Brewer joined The Girls’ School of Austin faculty in 2005. She has over fifteen years teaching experience at the preschool and elementary levels. Ms. Brewer enjoys professional development and in the past several years has attended numerous conferences focused on improving the reading and writing experience for young learners. In addition to her current role as a 2nd grade teacher, she teaches several popular after school classes including introduction to gymnastics and sensory science. Generated from many years of teaching students with a diverse range of abilities, Ms. Brewer relishes the opportunity to meet each student’s unique educational needs. Ms. Brewer earned a Bachelor of Arts in Speech Communication from Sam Houston State University and holds a Master of Education in Advanced Literacy Instruction from Concordia University.

Dana Burke

Ms. Burke first joined The Girls’ School faculty in 2005. During her first year at the school, Ms. Burke taught fourth grade. She then spent a year as the Gifted and Talented facilitator for the third through fifth grades at Georgetown Independent School District and returned to The Girls’ School in 2007 to teach the third and fourth grades. She received her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Delaware in Agribusiness Management with a concentration in food marketing. Ms. Burke has a Master of Arts in Education from Concordia University with an area of specialization in literacy instruction and she has completed certification in K-12 Gifted and Talented. Before coming to The Girls’ School, Ms. Burke was an education and youth marketing manager for Coca-Coca.

Rachel Lee

Ms. Lee joined The Girls’ School faculty in 2009. She has taught elementary French at the United Nations International School in New York, and third and fourth grade at the American International School of Bucharest and the International School of Prague. She received her Bachelor of Education from Westminster College, Oxford. She is certified as an instructor for the International Baccalaureate, and has been a reading curriculum specialist and math curriculum coordinator. Ms. Lee especially enjoys using technology in her teaching and has trained other teachers to use an electronic whiteboard.

Brandon Ward

Brandon Ward joined the GSA faculty in 2017. Mr. Ward completed his Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Florida College, and he holds a District of Columbia teaching certificate. Brandon has taught second and third grade mathematics at DC Prep Edgewood Elementary, and fifth grade math and language arts at Democracy Prep Congress Heights in Washington, DC. Prior to that, he taught fifth and sixth grade language arts and science at Lutz Preparatory School in Tampa and fourth grade reading, writing and social studies at Turner Elementary also in Tampa.

Nancy Keasler

Nancy Keasler has over four decades of teaching experience mostly at the middle school level. Most recently, she has taught sixth grade at St. Andrew’s Episcopal School where she also taught in the afterschool JUMP program (an after-school tutorial program). Nancy is trained in the social-emotional program, Responsive Classroom. Nancy received her Bachelor of Science degree in Education from the The University of Texas, Austin and completed a math certification from Texas Wesleyan. She has taught in many elementary and middle schools in Texas including Casis, here in Austin. Nancy is a life-long learner, frequently taking advantage of professional development opportunities.

Frances Ramberg

Ms. Ramberg joined The Girls’ School faculty in 2004 as the school librarian, and since then she has held several positions: community service coordinator, classroom teacher in grades K-8, Admissions Director, Placement Director, Diversity Coordinator. Before she came to The Girls’ School, she was a Wired for Youth Librarian for the Austin Public Library. Ms. Ramberg holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, Cum Laude, from Wellesley College and a Master of Library and Information Science degree from The University of Texas at Austin. She is also a certified Conflict Resolution Mediator.

Alex Argyros

Alex Argyros earned his Bachelor of Arts from Columbia University and his Master’s and Doctor of Philosophy in French from Cornell University. Until he joined The Girls’ School faculty, he was Professor of Literary Studies in the Arts and Humanities Department at the University of Texas at Dallas, Assistant Professor of French and Classics at Rutgers University and Assistant Professor of Philosophy and French at the Lindenwood Colleges. Dr. Argyros’ long list of publications includes topics as diverse as chaos theory, deconstruction, and French feminism. He has also written and directed a number of plays and is a published poet. Before accepting the Middle School Humanities position at The Girls’ School, he had served the school as a substitute teacher and writing coach. Alex is a former GSA trustee and father of a Girls’ School graduate.

Bridget Finn

Ms. Finn joined the faculty in 2009. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from The College of William and Mary, where she graduated cum laude. She received her Master of Science degree in Biology from Duke University. She has taught science at all levels but has come to particularly enjoy middle school. Ms. Finn has been a youth interpreter at the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation and performed research in molecular biology at Duke University and Northwestern University. She has participated in the Stanley King Counseling Institute and, most recently, Equity Design Lab.

Anne Seekatz

Anne Seekatz joined The Girls’ School faculty in 2015 after her first year of teaching sixth and eighth grade science at Georgetown ISD. She received her Bachelor of Science in Education with a minor in Biology from UT Austin and recently completed a Masters degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Sam Houston State University. She is an avid volunteer. Her volunteer experiences include nature interpretation as a Capital Area Master Naturalist and teaching girls the basics of riding and caring for horses in Girl Scouts equestrian program. She also received the Girl Scout’s Gold Award for creating a documentary film about a local nonprofit organization. Anne has taught in various summer camps such as the Austin Nature and Science Center, Mathnasium of the Woodlands and the Houston Museum of Natural Science. Anne teaches tae-kwon-do at Impact Martial Arts. Anne recently completed SEED (Seeking Educational Equity and Diversity) training and co-lead monthly seminars for GSA faculty.

Brent Gillentine

Brent Gillentine completed his Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from Haverford College. Since then, he has had his feet planted firmly on the ground and his head immersed in bits and bytes. He has been a technical trainer for Businessware Inc. in Houston and Infotec Commercial Systems in Austin, a senior systems architect at Advanced Microdevices (AMD), and Director of Quality and Performance at S3 Matching Technologies. Brent is currently the director of technology at The Girls’ School and also teaches math and SET (science, engineering and technology). Brent is the father of two Girls’ School graduates.

Gilles Bonneau

Gilles Bonneau studied music in France at the Rouen and Chatou Conservatories before moving to the United States. He received a Doctor of Musical Arts from the University of Texas at Austin, where he taught in the UT String Project. He was the String Orchestra Director at the Austin Waldorf School for four years before joining The Girls’ of Austin when it opened in 2002. Every summer, he teaches at the MSYM music camps in Maine. As a violinist, he remains active on the Austin music scene.

Lorna Torrado

Lorna Torrado joined the GSA faculty in 2014. Dr. Torrado completed her Doctor of Philosophy in Modern Spanish-American Literature at The University of Texas at Austin. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Hispanic Studies from the University of Puerto Rico and her Master of Arts from the University of Pennsylvania in Romance Languages and Literature. She has experience in non-profit management and is involved in a number of projects with non-profits in Austin and she has more than 10 years of teaching experience in the United States and Latin America. As the Texas program manager for La Poderosa Media Project, she has been working with KIPP students in an effort to promote artistic expression to high school students in the Austin area. Lorna recently completed SEED (Seeking Educational Equity and Diversity) training and co-lead monthly seminars for GSA faculty. She has also participated in the Equity Design Lab offered by the National Association of Independent Schools.

Josie Jesser

Josie Jesser joined the GSA faculty in 2013. Ms. Jesser completed her Bachelor of Arts in Latin American Studies from Dickinson College and her Master of Arts in Latin American Studies from The University of Texas at Austin. Ms. Jesser has served as interpreter and translator (Spanish, Portuguese) and she has also lived in Argentina and Brazil. Her most recent employment experience has been with Apple Computer, providing client support for Latin American clients. Ms. Jesser frequently participates in Mariposas Spanish School workshops.

Jennifer Read

Ms. Read joined The Girls’ School as Piano Instructor in 2003 and has also taught middle school algebra. Ms. Read has been teaching and coaching piano and voice for over ten years. She is an accomplished performer and accompanist in a variety of styles and time periods including collegium/Baroque orchestra. Ms. Read graduated magna cum laude from Baylor University with a Bachelor of Music and obtained her Master of Music in Ethnomusicology from the University of Texas at Austin. She is a member of the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society, as well as the College Music Society professional organization.

Nancy Hoover

Nancy Hoover has been the Art Director of The Girls’ School since its opening in 2002. A nationally recognized artist and teacher, she has developed and implemented external showcase opportunities for our award winning GSA students including formal gallery exhibits (our annual Self Portrait Show), charitable Austin community events (The Floating Art Gallery Auction, partnered with Aveda Corporation for The Clean Water Project), illustrating for publications (Badgerdog Press) and regional and national competitions with our art. Mrs. Hoover holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts with Honors from College of Charleston, SC, and has done graduate studies in art at the University of Central Florida. She has been active in numerous non-profit organizations, including The Hunger Project, The Junior League of Austin and Big Brothers, Big Sisters. Nancy is also a working fine artist and her art can be found in shows and galleries in Austin and the USA.

Jenny Sparks

Jenny Sparks joined the GSA faculty in 2007. Prior to GSA, Ms. Sparks was a teacher, coach and physical education department head at Round Rock High School where she coached volleyball, basketball and outdoor education programs. She was also the creator, owner and operator of the FUNBUS—a popular preschool gymnastics academy on wheels. After six years of operating the FUNBUS, she sold her business and joined The Girls’ School faculty. Ms. Sparks earned her Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from Texas A&M with a K-12 teaching certificate for Physical Education and Health. She is an avid runner and has participated in numerous marathons and triathlons. Jenny enjoys volunteering in the Austin community and initiated The Girls’ School partnership with The School for the Blind and Visually Impaired.

Brian Grothues

Brian Grothues received his Bachelor’s degree in Piano Performance and Pedagogy from the University of North Texas and a Master’s degree in Piano Performance and Pedagogy from the University of Texas at Austin. He has studied abroad in Vienna Austria and has participated in the Taubman Institute in New York City. He has taught in the UT Piano Project, the Orpheus Academy of Music and has been a private piano instructor for over four years.